The national coach is still purring after a world-class performance which not only overwhelmed Scotland and rejuvenated the Welsh nation, but ensured there would be no immediate vacancy in the manager’s office.

While Coleman predicted the 23 year-old will continue on his path to becoming Wales’ greatest footballer of all time, team-mate Joe Allen suggested dropping Bale’s name alongside that of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is not too fanciful.

The Tottenham winger has delivered similar match-defining contributions on the world stage before, his display in Cardiff summoning memories of a Champions League night in the San Siro against Inter Milan two years ago.

Having already attracted the interest of Barcelona, Bale’s heroics have done nothing to dissuade admirers he is destined to line-up alongside the game’s modern superstars.

Coleman said: “There’s no doubt in my mind he will be up there with those guys. The great John Charles, Ian Rush, Ryan Giggs, Neville Southall, who was the best goalkeeper in the world. It’s not ‘can’ he be up there, he will be. He’s only 23.

“He’s a totally level-headed lad who is completely unaffected by it all so there are no concerns about getting big-headed.

“I have not seen many better performances by a Wales player than on Friday.

“As a manager you admire players from afar and you know someone is a good player but it is not until you work with them when you find out exactly how good they are.

“I knew he was good but on Friday he was a different class. The goals capped off a brilliant performance.

“He also showed a lot of courage to step up for the penalty. He goes about his business and sometimes you wouldn’t even know he’s in camp.

“He has a laugh and joke with boys but you would never think he is one of the most dangerous left-sided attackers on the planet – but he is.

“After that performance, he can play where he likes. He was absolutely magnificent.”

Although Bale recently signed a new deal at White Hart Lane, it is known Barcelona are long-term suitors.

Spurs will need to return to the Champions League to ensure the wide man’s ambitions are fulfilled in north London, and Coleman has no doubt Bale would fit in at the Nou Camp if a transfer ever materialised.

“He wouldn’t be fazed by moving,” said Coleman. “He has the character to handle that. It’s not easy moving to another country, another culture. It’s a tough ask. But he’s young and has it all in front of him.”

Allen suggested Bale could soon be placed on the same pedestal as Messi and Ronaldo such is his clinical ability to win matches which appear to be drifting away.

“I’m going to be biased, but he’s up there with some of the best players in the world because of the quality he possesses and the talent he has got,” said Allen. “The second goal is the kind of thing he is capable of.

“Everyone knows those two (Messi and Ronaldo) are out in front at the moment, but if Gareth keeps performing like that week in, week out, which nine times out of ten he does, then who knows how far he can go?”

If Coleman can sit more comfortably in his position after his first win in charge, he is now targeting an away win in Croatia on Tuesday to blow the qualifying group wide open.

“There are still seven games and 21 points up for grabs so anything can happen. There’s a lot of football to be played,” he said.